Sweet little Mercy

I ran and ran down the streets until my legs gave out. I ended up in a dark alleyway, I gazed at the sky. I was amazed by the nature of the outside. I felt triumph, I was finally free. I felt like dancing out of joy. "I'm free!" I whispered excited. I felt like the world was finally giving me a break. I never felt so happy. But then I remembered who and where I was. I'm a serial killer on the loose. The police will be on my ass at any moment. I had no time for happiness.

Now I needed a plan. Then I frowned. "Shit." I said in dismay. I didn't think this through. All I knew was that I needed to become "Mercy" once again. But how? I scanned the alleyway, I was alone and lost. Cars zoomed by, honking in the distance. The rain soaked my entire body, the blood on my clothes thankfully was washed away. I simply wandered aimlessly through the alleyway. Tears swelled up in my eyes as my heart became heavy. I began to feel hopeless, I was going to be recaptured and locked away again! I wondered about my options. I was willing to kill if that meant staying free. I desired a weapon, I preferred knives, they were my favorite weapons. But there was nothing but trash here.

Then I remembered something important. I finally recognized this area when I walked upon an a familiar looking store. Yes! It's still here! I thought. At the end of the alleyway, there was a small store. I knew what it was. When I became Mercy, I came into this same abandoned Halloween store to become her. It's been ages since I been here. I darted towards the store and jerked the doors opened. I clutched the bible close to my heart as a luck charm. I was a ball of nerves, paranoia fueled me. I feared the authorities would find me, no screaming or acting will save me from the wrath of the law. I needed to be quick. Daylight barely lit the dark room, I scanned the store. There's dozens of masks on shelves, costumes on racks, and vividly decorations on the walls. I finally found what I was looking for. It felt so surreal, when I was locked away I thought it was the end. I never thought I would be back here after seven years in hell.

The room casted my shadow as I walked towards the racks of old dresses. I personally found the dresses cute. They were frilly, 1800 era influenced dresses. They were in various colors, I picked a white dress and examined it closely. It was right for my size. Child size.

I ran through the store and I searched the shelves to discover white gauze ready for the taking. "Yes!" I cheered. I quickly found other clothes for my outfit. I paced around for a short second. "I need makeup." I told myself.

Then I noticed something when I passed by a mirror across the room. I went back to look at my hideous self. I looked like a monster. No wonder the staff called me that. Even though I'm a grown adult, I'm stunned to appear as a small child. I never grew properly, my body is deformed and worn out. I looked ten times older in the face, horrid wrinkles were permanently mocking me. I grimaced in disgust at the sight of myself. I was a freak! An vile, hideous monster! I removed myself from the mirror and I felt great relief when I ripped off my hospital gown and wrapped up my deformed breasts with the white gauze. I scurried towards the back of the store and managed to found makeup on the shelves. I went back to the mirror and proceeded to paint my face with the makeup. As I put on layers of makeup, I gazed at myself in awe on how youthful I looked. Then I caught a glimpse on my teeth, rotten and blackened from my time in the Institution. I was barely able to care for my hygiene needs. I was then distracted by how new I looked. I was now Mercy once again. I glanced down at my wrists and got an idea.

"Where are they?" I whispered harshly as I scavenged the store for ribbons. "Fuck finally," I huffed when I found them on the shelves. I was so elated that I found this place, never in my life has I ever been so lucky. I grabbed the ribbons and wrapped them around my wrists' scars. I smiled broadly as I headed towards the mirror. I put on black panyhoses and cute little slippers to match.

I made my voice sweet and soft. "Hello, my name is Mercedes, but you can call me Mercy." I practiced my act flawless. I found a cute looking backpack in the back and stuffed my possessions and a few more dresses in it. With my new backpack on my back and hope in my heart, I walked out the store.

At first, I was aimlessly wandering down the streets of Tallinn, Estonia. I felt safe to roam the free world now, Little Mercy is innocent and harmless.

Where do I go? I thought to myself. I wandered the streets for a few more minutes, my feet is stinging with blisters and my muscles were strained. Then I found it, a towering brick building down the street. As I approached it, a medium size sign on the building caught my eye. In large bold letter; Lea Lastekodu. (Lea Orphanage.) I felt like cheering out of joy, this is my best day ever! I cherished this luck I had today.

I ran up to the building and stood at the door. My stomach tightened as I planned my fake life story.

I am Mercedes Lassiov, but you can call me Mercy. I am eight years old. My Mother is abusive and abandoned me for her new boyfriend who didn't like children. I chanted this story in my head. Don't you say Alanna! You are Mercy! I screwed up my face to make myself look like pitiful and frightened. Then I finally mustered up the courage to knock on the large wooden doors.

Seconds later, the door jerked opened and a woman appeared. She was elderly and plump with silver hair and a face full of freckles. I made myself cry on command. The woman gasped emotionally, her eyes became glassy and sympathetic.

I sniveled. "Please help me! My Mommy left me!" The woman's mouth dropped wide open. "Oh my goodness! Darling, are you alright?" She asked gently. I liked her tone of voice. It was warm and motherly.

"I don't know." I whimpered. "I can't find my Mommy!"

"What happened, tell me." Her eyes locked into mine.

I thought of my story and spoke frantically. "I was with my Mommy and then she started to be very...very mean! Then she said she hated me…..and doesn't want me anymore." I let out a heavy sob. The woman's eyes swelled up with tears. I was laughing in the insides, I was playing her like a fiddle!

The woman then embraced me warmly and rocked me like a baby in her arms. I cried harder. "What is your Mother's name?" she asked me as she released me. I sniffled. "Um….Sheena….Lassiov."

The woman nodded her head. She dried her tears and smiled brightly at me. "What is your name, sweetie?" She asked.

"Mercedes...my name is Mercy." I whispered innocently. I wiped my tears from my cheeks.

"Well my name is Mila. And we will care for you now, Mercy." With that Mila grabbed my hand and escorted me inside the Orphanage. Under my mask of sorrow, I was beaming and cheering in triumph.